25 December 2017,
Anno Domini
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ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in
the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have
seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the
king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:1-3)
When I was a very young and rambunctious Sunday school scholar,
I often wondered “Why was the King, and all of Jerusalem with him, troubled
over the news of the coming birth of the prophesied King of the Jews?” Now I am
beginning to understand as I see those in academia, politics, and society
attempting to expunge every vestige of the word, Christmas. You do not hear
such outrage over Halloween, Ramadan, or even Hanukkah. What is so offensive
regarding Christmas to the new so-called elite among us?
Man has been attempting to replace the meaning of Christmas with
secular personalities and music for many decades. Ask any child, or most any,
what is the important thing about Christmas, and they will respond brightly,
“Santa Claus!” It took about a century for Santa to replace the central figure
of Christmas – our Lord Jesus Christ; but, to many, this occurred without
argument over those decades. If Santa were denied, a loud outcry would result
in the denier being scathed and ostracized from polite company. Today, the
world has upped its game in demanding that even the name of the Christmas
Season be renamed ‘Winter Break.’
The hostility towards Christmas results from the sinful heart of
man seeking to assuage a conscience full of guilt toward God. Oh yes, those who
hate the mention of the word Christmas are not truly atheist for such do not
exist. Every soul born into this world has a primitive, at least, knowledge of
God. But if they admit to His existence, they must change their errant ways by
admitting that there is an Authority that rules in the affairs of man. The
superstitions of the pygmies, or other uncivilized beliefs, do not bother the PC
police in the slightest. They know these are merely figments of imagination;
but God is real, and they KNOW it! You may be amazed at the dichotomy of these
two views toward the spiritual, but it is a fact. Thou believest that there
is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19) I am pretty certain if
the devils know and tremble, the same is true of the devil’s followers.
Let us resolve to follow the lead of our American President in
returning Christmas to its rightful place in America; and not just ‘A’
Christmas title, but a Christmas Season based on “spirit and truth” with our
Lord Jesus Christ as the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas to
one and all, May Christ be the Light you follow to Bethlehem.
Jerry L. Ogles, DD, Presiding Bishop
